“Interesting,” she cuts him off, her posture regal, perched forward in my arm as though she’s already a chieftainess. “Now, give me a real gift—by answering my questions.” Her eyes gleamwith command. “Rocks, is she like me?” She places a hand on the blessing adorning her chest. “Or more like... you?” Her finger points toward the hunter slowly, her gaze scrutinizing.
The hunter scratches his head, genuine confusion clouding his face. “Like a hunter? Oh, yes, she’s a great hunter. Completed the Proving and slayed Xyronath the Shadowstalker.” He adds pride in his voice.
Impressive. Almost unbelievable that a human as frail as Princesa could defeat the legendary beast. I had even hoped to face Xyronath myself when I was preparing for my Proving. Perhaps Princesa is correct—the female Rocks must have used her bond powers.
“I knew it!” Princesa declares triumphantly, as if she’s just uncovered the secrets of the universe. “She’s an ugly she-hulk.”
Such jealously for one so blessed with beauty.
“No, no. Rocks is lovely. A true gift for the weary eye,” the hunter sighs, his gaze drifting to the distant trees with a faraway look. Then, catching himself, he quickly raises his palms. “Not as pretty as you, of course...uh. What was your name again?”
“Princesa,” I grunt, my patience with this fool wearing thin.
The hunter nods, a smile creeping back onto his face. “Ah, it has such a nice ring to it. I shall remember you fondly, awaiting your future exploits, so I can boast of the day I was bested by such heroes,” he says with an exaggerated flourish of his arms.
“Bitch... what kind of stupid name is Rocks, anyway?” Princesa mutters under her breath, a finger to her full lips. “What powers do they have?” Then, in a flash, her eyes lock onto the hunter’s with a sharp, dangerous glint.
Pride surges through me, straightening my back and filling me with adoration. Princesa’s useless gas-cloudiness isn’t so useless after all, but a clever ploy to pry information about the loathsome usurper and his bonded female.
“Tell me.” Princesa’s tone shifts from light to impatient, her lips curling into a sneer.
“Powers?” The hunter flinches, whether from her tone or the question is unclear. “Rocks, at the clan meeting, claimed human females could sense truth from falsehoods.” He shrugs as if it’s no more than idle gossip. “Maybe you can do the same?”
“I wish,” Princesa frowns, shifting in my arm, her gaze turning downward. “Would’ve saved me a lot of trouble with those losers,” she adds under her breath.
Rocks’ ability to read thoughts is no secret, murmured in awe by travelers from Draxxi. But how could such a power help her complete the Proving?
“What of the traitor, Krogoth?” I growl. He’s the real threat.
“Krogoth’s no trait—” The hunter snaps back until he catches sight of my stern, flashing red eyes, striking fear into his fragile heart. “They... they say strange things about him now,” he murmurs, the words barely a whisper.
“What things?” I demand, my voice cutting through the air like a claw.
The hunter swallows, shifting nervously. “Some say...” He pauses, eyes darting to the treetops, as if the Gods themselves are in attendance. “That the Gods marked him during the Krak-Tok... gave him sight beyond mortal eyes. Others whisper of storms bending to his will, as if the very skies feared him.”
I flex my fingers, frustration simmering beneath my skin. These are the same old stories, different mouths spreading them like a plague.
“You’d be a fool to challenge him, even for one such as you,” the hunter says cautiously, though pride lingers in his voice. “They say he moves swiftly as the wind, and his strikes hit like bolts of lightning from the heavens. Believe me, friend, you’d be wise to drop whatever grudge you carry for the sake of everyone.”
The molten blood in my veins stirs at the thought of facing him. Fools like this hunter speak of him like a god. Good, for when I crush him beneath my feet, the honor I gain will be greater. He may be blessed, but Arawnoth, the mightiest of the Gods, will soon favor me further. Then, as equals, I’ll consume his soul in the endless fires of my wrath—a taste of the inferno of hate he ignited in me.
“Did he do it again?” Princesa chimes in, her gaze lifting to the hunter. “Krogoth, I mean. Did you see or hear of him using these abilities after the... Krak-Tok?” She struggles with the last words, such a concept likely foreign to the weak human species.
The hunter’s face falls, his confidence shaken. “No... not that I’ve heard of. No one’s seen him use them since.”
Princesa’s eyes snap to mine, shimmering like pools of mercury. “If they can’t use their powers and we can...” A smile creeps across her delicate features. “We’ll depose them easily. Then we’ll rule as king and queen.”
Her ambition pleases me—a reflection of my own. Though a more noble and primal purpose motivates me. My blood blazes not for a mere title, but for vengeance. To restore what was stolen, to claim the legacy that was mine by birthright.
“High Chieftain and Chieftainess,” the hunter mumbles, his gaze drifting skyward.
Princesa snorts, waving a hand dismissively. “Sure, whatever works for you.”
I follow his gaze, spotting a fluttering of dark wings disappearing beyond the towering treeline. The second time today I’ve seen it. Strange for an arrohawk to follow for so long. If it dares strike, I’ll rip its guts out and feast on its flesh.
“Are you two expecting something?” Princesa asks, her gaze joining ours. “Ah, don’t tell me it’s going to snow again,” she sighs with an air of resigned annoyance.
“Arrohawk,” the hunter mutters, eyes narrowing as he scrambles to retrieve his discarded spear. “Of course, it shows up now, when I’m having a little fun.” He dons his warvisor, dashing westward through the immense Draxxi trees. “Farewell, strange heroes!” he shouts over his shoulder as he disappears into the forest.
